Marketplace's Neighbor Upset Over Traffic Signal

May 25, 2000|By Pat Clawson.

ROLLING MEADOWS — A Continental Towers official criticized the Rolling Meadows city engineer at a recent City Council meeting for leaving him out of the discussion about placing a temporary traffic signal at the joint entrance to the Towers and The Marketplace of Rolling Meadows, which celebrated the grand opening of Wal-Mart last week.

The City Council approved paying Alliance Contractors Inc. $287,447 to install a temporary traffic signal on Golf Road between Algonquin and New Wilke Roads, put in a westbound right-turn lane and lengthen a left turn lane into the shopping center.

Tower officials expressed concern about whether finances would be available in the future to build a right-turn lane into their office complex after the city engineer dropped those plans from this year's construction budget.

"We were told that no improvements were going on our side of the highway," said John Dewar, a vice president of Prime Group Realty Trust, which owns Continental Towers. "We are asking to participate so we can benefit and improve traffic flow on Golf Road. Our concern is that there is not enough money next year in the budget."

City engineer Michael Kerr defended his bid to postpone work on the south side of Golf Road because he doubts whether the city could gain easements and acquire land in front of the Towers before this year's construction season ends.

Wal-Mart's opening as the main anchor for the Martketplace shopping center prompted the need for a traffic signal because city officials believe the viability of the center depends on giving motorists easy access across busy Golf Road.

"This temporary traffic light is primarily for the benefit of Wal-Mart and Sam's Club," said Ald. Mark Evenson. "The Marketplace is the city's golden egg, and we've got to protect our golden egg."

To help pay for the signal and turn lanes, the city will draw from portions of the $300,000 of funds that were part of the city's economic development package with Bradford Real Estate, the Marketplace's developer.

The city will not spend from the Towers' $400,000 economic development agreement until the state approves a permanent signal and turn lanes into their complex.